Schools in Wales are being given the authority to decide whether to close during a red warning heatwave, as action is taken to protect pupils and staff. Uniform rules are being eased, and unions warn that outdated school buildings cannot cope with the new normal of extreme heat.
A red warning for heat has been issued for some parts of Wales, with an amber warning for others. Schools are implementing measures such as relaxing uniform rules, limiting time in the sun during breaks, ensuring water availability, and serving cold meals instead of hot ones. At least one council area, the Vale of Glamorgan, is serving only cold meals in its primary schools for the rest of the week.
No Legal Upper Limit for Temperature
There is no legal 'upper limit' for temperature in schools, and any closure would be an absolute last resort, according to headteachers' leaders. No council has reported a school closure for heat so far. Some pupils have been told they can attend in PE kit or cooler clothing and do not have to wear full uniform.
Any decision to close schools lies with individual headteachers or local authorities. Welsh Government extreme weather guidance states that schools and childcare settings should remain open for as many pupils as possible, but temporary closure may be necessary due to inaccessibility or risk of injury. If closed, consideration should be given to providing remote education.
Cold Meals and Sun Safety
Big Fresh, the council catering service for schools in the Vale of Glamorgan, announced it will serve cold meals for the rest of the week. In a message, it said: "Due to the extreme hot weather forecast for this week, we have received a number of requests to move to a cold service provision. After careful consideration, we have taken the decision to implement a cold service provision for the remainder of the week across all primary schools. We are sure you will appreciate that we have a duty of care to both our staff and pupils during periods of extreme temperatures."
Haverfordwest VC High in Pembrokeshire advised pupils to bring refillable water bottles, apply sunscreen, and stay hydrated. The school noted: "To help everyone stay comfortable in the warmer temperatures, blazers and ties will not be expected this week."
At-Risk Pupils
Welsh government guidance lists pupils at increased risk due to extreme heat, including those who are overweight, taking medication, children with disabilities or complex health needs, and those aged under four. Schools are advised to avoid vigorous physical activity, maximize shade, ensure hydration, maximize ventilation, use awnings or blinds, minimize electrical equipment use, and ask parents to dress children in loose, light-colored clothing with hats and suncream.
Unions Call for Urgent Building Upgrades
The National Association of Headteachers Cymru (NAHT Cymru) said with hotter weather now the norm, the Welsh Government needs to urgently upgrade outdated buildings. Laura Doel, national secretary for NAHT Cymru, said: "School leaders in Wales will be making plans to deal with the predicted heat this week. Many school buildings are ill-equipped to deal with extremes of temperature – especially smaller primary schools, often housed in older buildings. There is no legal 'upper limit' for temperature in schools and any closure would be an absolute last resort. If, as it appears, warmer summers are going to become the norm, then government really does need to act more urgently to improve and modernise school buildings, including a focus on ventilation and potentially air conditioning."
Teaching union Nasuwt Cymru is contacting all directors of education to remind them of the joint unions heat protocol, which includes curtailing heat-generating activities such as use of computer monitors, printers, Bunsen burners, ovens, and design and technology equipment unless effective heat extraction is in place. The guidance also recommends implementing planned changes to lunch menus to benefit learners, staff, and catering staff who should not be expected to prepare hot meals during a heatwave.
Strategic Thinking on Heatwaves
Claire Armitstead, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said: "Schools will be carefully looking at mitigations to deal with the current heatwave, such as relaxing dress codes, relocating classes to cooler rooms, and removing vigorous physical activity from the timetable. We are clearly going to have to think more strategically about how we deal with heatwaves in the future as they become more regular and more intense as a result of climate change. Many school buildings are relatively old and are not equipped to deal with extreme temperatures. This will need to be a consideration in how we refurbish and future-proof the school estate."
